Event planner Todd Fiscus dishes on his new Houston business and strange client requests

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Houston's party scene just got a little more exciting since Todd Fiscus - of the Dallas-based Todd Events - opened his first Houston location at 2323 S. Shepherd, complete with a 12,000-square-foot warehouse.

His business presence here also means he'll be nesting more with his partner, Cerón, a high-profile celebrity hair stylist. The two will exchange vows in New York City on New Year's eve.

Fiscus' extensive résumé includes features in Town & Country, Vanity Fair and Elle Décor, and he has made a game-changing mark on event-planning services in Texas, focusing on a vertically-integrated business model. He also has been named one of the nation's top event designers by Biz Bash magazine, an noted trade magazine.

Earlier this year, Fiscus made a splashy debut in Houston at the "Russian Rhapsody"-themed Symphony Ball, where he erected a 15,000-square-foot tent behind Rice University's Shepherd School of Music filled with czar-esque details such as Swarovski crystal chandeliers, gold-glided flatware, caviar and an unforgettable extra: a pearl-encrusted performer who danced as water sprouted from her fingertips.

With the paint barely dry on his orange-hued and magenta-accented Houston office walls, Fiscus spoke to the Chronicle about his career and his new Houston business.

How did a Wichita Falls native go from an aspiring chef to party mastermind?

I moved to Dallas to work for the Adolphus Hotel, and when I decided to not pursue the culinary arts, I traded my chef's hat for a job in catering with the DoubleTree Hotels. After seeing the limited designs in wedding décor, I took a job with a florist I respected. Eight weeks later, he told me I was talented and should own my own firm. So that's when I started Two Design Group with a business partner in 1994. Nine years later we parted ways, and I started Todd Events as a full-service event production firm.

What's the essence of your business?

My job is to capture the spirit of the host of a party and create an environment that reflects their lifestyle.

What is one of your favorite wedding details?

I once had a bride who carried Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in her purse as an emergency meal, and at every wedding meeting I noticed she would nibble on them. Since this was a habit all of her family and friends knew about, I decided for the wedding favor to take a package of Reese's and customize a wrapper that read, "Sometimes two is better than one." It's just one of those little details that help tell a couple's story.

What's one way the budget-conscious can make an impressive statement?

Instead of making just one arrangement of 20 roses, fill 20 bud vases with one rose per vase. For that extra touch, place votive candles in between the vases down a long table. Your table will be much more dramatic with the flowers spread out rather than clumped together.

How have wedding styles changed over the last decade?

They have become more personal. Couples want to tell a story about how they met, where they like to go, what their life is about, what they are attracted to and how they live. They want to tell the story of their wedding as an experience. It used to be for a wedding you put down tables, got a band and a cake and that was it. Now, weddings are highly personalized. And the parties are bigger and last much longer. There's a pre-reception, reception, ceremony, party and after-party that can easily last until 2 a.m. Couples want to enjoy the experience as long as possible.

What are some of the strangest things you've been asked to do by a client?

Well, one of my clients wanted a real-life cherub at his party, but I wasn't about to hire a little person and paint him gold. I talked the client into another design feature. Another time, I was asked by a bride to break into a car because she had left her shoes inside along with the car keys. But the most uncomfortable request occurred when a bride wanted me to question her groom about his whereabouts with the maid of honor at the post-rehearsal dinner. If you can imagine a scenario, I've been asked to do it.

What do you like so far about the Houston market?

In Houston, everything is new for us and we bring a fresh approach to everything. We're looking at existing locations, like country clubs and hotels, with a fresh pair of eyes. I don't have any preconceived notions or constraints about how things were done previously. Also, Houston clients appreciate having a fresh designers' eye. They ask for us to participate in the concept and want us to be involved at every step.

So, you're getting married New Year's Eve in New York City. Are you planning your own wedding?

We have 105 guests invited. Marcy Blum, one of the most famous wedding planners in the country, is helping us, along with Ed Libby and many others in the industry. It'll be very Ralph Lauren with colors of black, cream, gold and burgundy, along with blue and white Chinese porcelain.

Will you be able to turn off the party planner in you to really enjoy the wedding?

We're leaving all the details to the experts. My number one goal is to be very present, have a great time, be there for Cerón and enjoy the fact that we can get married.